Lime treatment of skins



Patented May 25, 1926.

UNITED STE PATENT OFFICE.

MAURICE BOURGUIGNON, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETE DU FEUTRE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

LIME TREATMENT OF SKINS N 0 Drawing.

ool which is separated from skins by the chemical hair removing process has a selling or an industrial value which is much below that of wool obtained by the heating process; which on the other hand has the drawback of deteriorating the skins. The weakening of the wool and its dull appear ance in the lime treatment are occasioned by the impregnation of the same by the hair-removing products employed which pass through the skin and rise by capillary action in the hair. If an attempt is made to apply this process to the preparation of hair for hat manufacture, there is observed an entire absence of character and strength and the products thus obtained give bad results for felting purposes.

These serious drawbacks can be avoided according to this invention by soaking the skins in a weak acidulated solution, in such manner as to effect a'total impregnation. Then follows the lime treatment in the usual manner, care being however taken to make use of a somewhat greater amount of lime. The skin even when impregnated with acidulated water is easily traversed by the hair-removing products after neutralization by lime, but the hair or wool which will retain a relatively considerable amountof acidulated water is no longer susceptible of impregnation by capillary effect, and will thus preserve their lustre and tenacity.

By way of example, the improved process may be carried out as follows: The hides or skins being previously prepared in the usual manner are disposed on a table, the hair Application filed February 7, 1922. Serial No. 534,785.

turned upwardly, and are brushed with a 5% solution of hydrochloric acid in such manner that the hair shall be well impregnated; the skins are then piled-up by placing the hair sides together, each pile comprising no more than. 25 to 30 skins so as to avoid the liquid bein squeezed out. The skins are then subjected to the lime treatment proper in the usual manner the lime being applied on the flesh sides. The skins are then piled up again hair sides together, each pair being separated by a waterproof fabric in such manner that the hair is protected from the lime of the other skins. lVhen the skins have been subjected at the ordinary temperature to the action of the lime for a suficient time say for 2 to 3 hours, the hair is removed therefrom in the usual manner as by brushing or scraping.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

A method of treating skins for the re moval of hair or wool suitable for felting purposes from said skins, which comprises previously soaking said skins in slightly acidulated water, applying lime water on the flesh side of the skins and piling up said skins hair sides together, a waterproof fabric being interposed between each pair of skins, whereby the hair or wool thereof will be protected against the lime.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

MAURICE BOURGUIGNON. 

